Automatic Integrated Distress Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a distress flare launcher that can manually or automatically fire pyrotechnic signal flares when a mariner is in distress. During an emergency, the device may be activated automatically by hydrostatic release when the device is inverted or falls into the water, activating a mercury switch with a timing mechanism to fire flares to signal for help.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of prior filed, co-pending U.S.application No. 60/791,347, entitled “Automatic Distress FlareLauncher,” filed on Apr. 12, 2006, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an emergency flare launcher. Morespecifically, it relates to a distress device which can manually orautomatically fire pyrotechnic signal flares when it is inverted orfalls into the water.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of flares and other emergency equipment provide mariners a meansof summoning rescue during an emergency at sea. While present technologypermits distress signaling, it requires human intervention.

Distress signal devices exist; however, they are disadvantaged, such as:Greenleaf in U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,357 shows a flare launcher, but isdesigned to be manually used by an operator and is not an effectivesafety device should emergency circumstances render a mariner incapableof accessing or operating said launcher.

In order to overcome this and other related problems, what is needed isan emergency flare launcher which permits manual or automatic dischargeof flares in order to signal for help, thus solving the problemsassociated with conventional devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a distress flare launcher capableof operating manually or automatically during an accident at sea. Theinvention uses a mercury switch to initiate the flare launcher. Theencasement permits the circuitry to remain dry during exigentcircumstances and a timer which may also be manually controlled, firesthe flares to signal for help.

It is one object of the invention disclosed herein to provide a new andimproved automatic flare launcher which activates using a mercury switchto increase the likelihood of signaling locally in the event of maritimedistress.

It is another object of the invention disclosed herein to provide a newand improved flare launcher which has a timing mechanism to fire flaresin delayed intervals to maximize the opportunity of signaling andattracting help and rescue.

It is an advantage of the invention disclosed herein to provide a newand improved flare launcher which includes a strobe light, sound, andvoice activation which allows greater opportunity of signaling for helpand rescue.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will befully apparent from the following description, when taken in connectionwith the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood byconsidering the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an integrated distressdevice according to the principles of the present application.

FIG. 2 is an outer view example of an integrated distress deviceaccording to the principles of the present application.

FIG. 3 is an example of the top view of an integrated distress deviceaccording to the principles of the present application.

FIG. 4 is another example of a cross-sectional view of an integrateddistress device according to the principles of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows across-sectional view of one embodiment according to the principles ofthe present invention.

The flares and circuitry are housed in a water tolerant enclosure 1. Athin, waterproof membrane may be placed over the flare openings on thetop to aid in waterproofing the device. An epoxy may be used to preventwater from entering the device. A removable watertight top 2 which hasopenings for the signal flares' 16 exit and reload may also exists toeffect repairs to any interior part of the enclosure 1. The flares 16are held in place for stabilization to prevent slipping and turning by aholder 3, a rod 7 and a flare stabilizer 14, while the mechanism forfiring can be supported at the bottom 4 and side 8. The flare holder 3aids not only in stabilization of the flares but also may serve as aboundary to prevent any water entry into the motor assembly 12. The rod7, connects the top 2 to the flare holder 3 and serves as a means toallow easy assembly removal. The rod 7 is also held in place by aself-locking nut 17 to keep the flare holder 3 attached to the top 2.The bottom 4 serves as a removable plate to permit access to both themotor assembly 12 and flares 16 and creates an easy manner in which toattach them together for the operation of the device. The side 8 may bea bracket which holds the circuit board 9 in place and is attached to astabilizer plate bottom 4. There may further be a spacer 13 to keep thecircuit board 9 off the side 8.

The device may also have a watertight battery compartment 5 wherein thebattery 15 may be accessed and replaced. The battery cap 6 may be openedto effect battery replacement. In one embodiment, the device also housesthe flare firing mechanism wherein a motor 12 is activated by the firingmechanism, turning a bar attached to the motor, pulling a cord whichactivates the flare and fires the distress signal.

As an illustrative example, the device may also have a strobe light witha clear plastic dome 10 to protect it on the top 2. A circuit board 11to control and operate said strobe light may be attached below it. Thedevice may also have a sound mechanism The device may also have anemergency positioning indicator radio beacon (EPIRB) and a GPS receiver.

The device may also have a switch to operate. The switch will have atleast five positions. These positions may include test, off, automatic,manual and fire. The test mode may be used to determine whether thebattery is sufficiently charged, and flashes the strobe light. The offmode will prevent the circuits from being energized. Automatic mode willfire flares off automatically when the ADFL is turned right side up(flares facing up), with the strobe light flashing and a warning tonesounding from the speaker. This mode also will operate a timingmechanism to automatically fire flares at different time intervals.Manual mode allows flares to be fired off on-demand with the strobelight flashing by moving the switch to fire. The switch may be locked ineither off, automatic or manual mode. The device may also incorporate aspring-loading fire position so that when a flare is fired, the switchcannot remain in the fire position, but returns automatically to themanual position. The device will also remember when all the flares havebeen fired and will not attempt to continue to fire.

In order to use the present invention, the device may be stored upsidedown (flares facing down) on a vessel bracket in the on position. Whenan emergency occurs, the device may either float free from the bracketafter being set free by hydrostatic release, or it is placed in thewater by a user. Once in the water, the device turns right side up, viabuoyancy or other mechanical means, and a mercury switch activates thecircuit. With the mercury switch, the device may not activate if notturned right side up. If right-side up, the strobe light begins pulsing,and a mechanical firing pin will fire one pyrotechnic distress flare.The first flare fires after a short delay, and a second flare fires verysoon thereafter. The flares are fired at timed intervals until allflares are exhausted. This process may occur manually or automatically.It may also be activated by voice command.

Each flare may be stored in a separate launch tube. The firing pins maybe located below each flare and fired using a spring. A solenoidattached to each firing pin may determine the position of the firingpin. When flares are in the launch tube, the firing pins are in thearmed position, with tension on the spring. When a flare is launched,the solenoid releases the firing pin, which swings into the bottom ofthe flare, igniting the flare and sending it through the seal at the topof the Launcher. The circuit board 9 houses the timing mechanisms forthe firing pin solenoids.

FIGS. 2-4 demonstrate additional views and features in one embodiment ofthe present invention.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the presentexamples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A distress device comprising: a replaceable flare; firing means forsaid flare; a hydrostatic release means to activate the device when saidflares are positioned skyward; a power source means for operating saiddevice.
 2. The distress device of claim 1, wherein said device furthercomprises: a waterproof encasement for said flares and said firing meansand said power source means; illumination means to signal for help atsea; wherein said flare contains a firing mechanism to activate saidflare; an activation means via a mercury switch to begin illuminationmeans and timed firing of flares.
 3. The distress device of claim 1,wherein said device further comprises: a switch to activate the deviceon various modes including a test mode, an off mode, a manual mode and amanual fire mode.
 4. The distress device of claim 1, wherein said devicefurther comprises: said encasement comprises a top lid and a bottom lid;said top lip comprises a replacement means for flares and a bottomreplacement means for the power source.
 5. The distress device of claim3, wherein said device further comprises: said activation means furthercomprises voice activation.
 6. The distress device of claim 1, whereinsaid device further comprises: a satellite or wireless communicationsystem to summon help.
 7. A method of distress signaling, comprising thesteps of: hydrostatic or manual release of a distress device from avessel; turning a distress device upwards to fire flares.
 8. The methodof claim 7, whereby said distress device is activated by a solenoidmercury switch; firing flares in timed intervals.
 9. The method of claim8, whereby said timing is controlled by a switch which can be set tovarious firing modes.
 10. The method of claim 9 whereby one such mode istest mode wherein a strobe light is activated.
 11. The method of claim 9whereby one such mode is off.
 12. The method of claim 9 whereby one suchmode is automatic.
 13. The method of claim 9 whereby one such mode ismanual.